Folding and adjustable table



(No Model.)

' F. A. BLAOKMER.

FOLDING AND ADJUSTABLE TABLE.

No. 366,069. Patented July 5, 1887.

563K. v A A.

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gh wevbilo c aw n6 7. 4% M UNITED STATES ATENT anion.

FRANCIS A. BLAOKMER, or SPRINGFIELD, MAssAcnusnrTs.

FOLDING AND ADJUSTABLE TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,069, dated July 5, 1837.

Application filed May 13, 1886. Serial No. 202,l24. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS A. BLACKMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of I-Iampdeu and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding and Adjustable Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front View; Fig. 2, an end view; Fig. 3, a sectional end view; Fig. 4, a view of the under side of the table when folded; Fig. 5, an enlarged side view of the latch; Fig. 6, a top view of the same; Fig. 7, an end view of the cleat c and latch c; Fig. 8, an enlarged view of a section'of the table-legs where pivoted together, and Fig. 9 a perspective of the latch.

The object of my invention is to construct a folding adjustable table which shall be of simple and cheap construction, and which, while being easy to operate, will stand with more rigidity and firmness than those heretofore made; and to that end my invention consists in the peculiar construction whereby the legs are locked in the desired position, and whereby the legs are set bracing to prevent end-shake; and, generally, it consists in the construction and arrangement herein set out, whereby the beneficial objects of myinvention are attained.

Referrin now to the drawin s a indicates the table top; I), cleats'secured thereto; a, a locking-cleat; d, locking-rod; e, a latch, and fand g table-legs. The legs are set bracing,

as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings-that is to say, the legs f and 9 not only cross each other, but are secured to the table-top in such manner that when the table is open and the legs rest upon the floor each set of legs will be inclined inwardly, this being to give the desired firmness. This prevents the objectionable racking and shucking or end-shake found in most of the folding tables heretofore made, and which is almost impossible to avoid in vfolding tables having legs standing at right angles to the top. To enable these bracing legs to be folded against the top, I attach the cleats b diagona11y,-as shown in Fig. 4., and arrange the legs to fold between the cleats. As

the legs and cleats are more cheaply made of straight material, and as the legs are set bracing, as stated, it will be seen that the surfaces where pivoted together will not bear on all sides; hence the parts will not turn as readily upon their pivots. To overcome this I interpose rings or washers at between the surfaces where pivoted. This separates the parts and prevents friction, except upon the surface of this washer or ring, th us giving a firm bearing, besides rendering the device much easier to operate and cheaper to construct. The lockrod d is attached to the upper end of the legs 9, and has pivoted upon it the latch e. The latch c has at one end a projecting part, 71, which enters the recess j in the cleat c, and its opposite end is provided with a handle or fingerpiece, 70. The latch e is also provided with lugs t, which embrace the cleat c, theinwardlyprojecting portions thereof entering the rabbet in the cleat, thus holding the upper ends of the legs g close to the table-top,wl1ile allowing free lateral movement of the same when the point it of the latch is disengaged from the recess j. The table is varied as to height by changing the part h of the latch from one opening j to another. The handle end 70 of the latch is made heavier than the opposite end, so the locking end will automatically engage with the openings inthe cleat c. A spring may of course be applied to accomplish the same result. To render the latch more convenient for operation with the hand, I extend the handle to one side, as shown.

I am aware of United States Letters Patent granted to Long, January 8, 1884, No. 291,525, and to Hart, February 12, 1878, and I make no claim to the construction therein shown.

Having therefore described my invention,

what I, claim, and desire to secure .by Letters Patent, is

1. Afolding table having two sets of folding legs, each set consisting of legs f and g, pivoted to each other, one of the legs of each set being pivoted to the table-top, and each set being arranged to stand bracing or inwardly .i nclined when open, substantially as shown.

2. The hinged top a, having diagonalcleats b, folding legs 9 f, set bracing and adapted to fold against the cleats b, and a lock to hold the swinging legs in position when opened, substantially as shown.

3. The combination of a table-top having cleats b secured to it in the position shown in the drawings, the legs f, pivoted to said cleats,

and the legs 9, pivoted to the legs f, each set of legs being inclined outwardly from the top to give a broader base, substantially as shown. 4. lhe latch e, having engaging part It and 5 finger-piece 7c, in combination with rod (1, pivoted legs gf, and cleat 0, having recesses to receive the part h of the latch, substantially as shown.

5. The combination of a table-top having 10 legs f pivoted thereto, legs 9, pivoted to legs f, each set of legs being inclined outwardly from the top to give a broader base, i'od'd, cleat c, and latch e, all constructed and operating substantially as shown.

6. A table having two legs, f, pivoted to the I 5 top, two legs, pivoted to the legs f, a, orossrod, d, connecting the upper ends of the legs 9,

a cleat, 0, secured to the under side of the table-top, and a latch, e, pivoted to the rod d and having lugs t, which engage the cleat c 20 at its sides, and latch-point h to enter recesses in the cleat, and having a finger-piece, 70, all

substantially as shown.

FRANCIS A. BLAOKMER.

Witnesses:

ALLEN WEBSTER, J. O. KINGSLEY. 

